Candice Ivory to Visit Rome Y on February 20th for a “History of the Blues”
The YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley will offer an educational presentation and performance from Candice Ivory, a St. Louis blues Grammy nominee in an effort to educate kids in their regional “YCare Program” about the history of the blues and its impact on popular music and society. “Understanding the times in which this gentre was born helps tell an important part of American history,” explained Hank Leo, CEO of the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley. “Our Y afterschool program can benefit greatly from hearing the impact the blues has had on our culture,” added Leo. The Y is one of the largest providers of afterschool programs
locally and nationally, with 23 sites in the Mohawk Valley and Madison County regions.
After releasing three acclaimed albums of jazz-driven original songs, vocalist Candice Ivory reveals a whole new sound on When the Levee Breaks: The Music of Memphis Minnie. Raised in Memphis and based in St. Louis, Ivory hails from an illustrious musical family that shaped Memphis’s secular and sacred sounds. Her great-uncle was the singer and guitarist
Will Roy Sanders of the Fieldstones, one of the premier Memphis blues bands from the 1970s to the 1990s. Ivory grew up in the church, and by the age of eleven, she was singing in a choir that featured the soon-to-be-famous R&B artist D’Angelo. When the Levee Breaks brings together all of her formative musical experiences in a tribute to Memphis
Minnie (1897-1973), whose powerhouse vocals and compositional creativity served as inspiration for Ivory’s own innovations as the Queen of Avant Soul. “Candice is an exceptional artist. To have her visit Rome for a workshop with our YCare program is another step in our education efforts for young people,” Leo stated. “The Y is a convening place for people of all ages. We have had a wonderful relationship with Rome City Schools for decades. Giving kids an opportunity they would not otherwise have is
a blessing,” he added.
Holly Panebianco, Regional Childcare Director said, “exposing the youth in our community to music, arts and culture is an integral part of YMCA programming. We want to ensure that every child has an opportunity to expand their creativity and expand their appreciation for music in today’s world.” The event will be held in the Rome YMCA gymnasium on Friday, February 20 th . The Y’s three primary locations (Rome, Oneida, and Whitesboro) will join together for the special presentation. The event is also open to the public and free of charge.
